Sevilla’s Vitolo set for Las Palmas loan deal before making January switch to Atletico Madrid, reports Cadena Cope.

Having failed in their appeal of a transfer ban for this summer window, it is clear that Atlético Madrid are doing all they can to circumvent the ruling, as could be the case with the signing of Sevilla winger Vitolo.

Cadena Cope report that the 27-year-old will join UD Las Palmas, his hometown club, on loan for six months before heading to the Wanda Metropolitano on 1st January 2018, when the club is once again allowed to register players.

The move is a clever one, avoiding the six months of inactivity that blighted the likes of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal at Barcelona when a similar ban was in place at the Nou Camp, with both players still yet to convince that they’re up to scratch even two full seasons later.

In a World Cup year, Vitolo is understandably reluctant to write off half of the season having worked hard to get back into the frame, with Julian Lopetegui giving him a return to La Selección in September. By missing half of the season it would be very difficult for him to retain that place, and it would likely have cost him a place in the squad for Russia next summer.

In Las Palmas, a perfect short term solution has been found. Vitolo is from the island, having come through the youth ranks their and enjoying his first three seasons of professional football at the club before earning a move to Sevilla.

He will fit in well with their free flowing attacking style which looks to exploit creativity and pace down the wings, with their manner of play bound to be retained by rumoured new boss Roberto de Zerbi, previously manager of Italian side Palermo.

After six months, Vitolo will head to Madrid to reinforce an Atleti side lacking in wide options, with Diego Simeone keen to add more creativity to his midfield to provide opportunities for the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres up front.

At €40 million to activate his release clause, the attacking midfielder won’t come cheaply, but he is a strong reinforcement for a club which needs to make a statement next season if it is to retain its key talents in the long term, with doubts over the likes of Griezmann and Simeone.